Warner Bros. Pictures Animation

Warner Animation Group (WAG), doing business as Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (WBPA) and formerly known as Warner Bros. Feature Animation (WBFA) and shortly Warner Bros. Animation Studios (WBAS) is an American animation studio founded by Hal Geer, and later Jeff Robinov. It was founded on January 10, 1980, as the 2D traditional hand-drawn animation studio, Warner Bros. Feature Animation, which changed its name to WAG in early 2004, and is also a sister to the regular Warner Bros. Animation studio.

History
In 1980, Warner Bros. launched a new feature animation division after the closure of the former Warner Bros. Cartoons studio. Three compilation films, The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie, Bugs Bunny’s 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tails and Daffy Duck’s Fantastic Island were the first few films produced by the studio. Their fourth feature, Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer, was released in 1985 receiving mixed-to-negative reviews. Their fifth (and first live-action film), Beetlejuice, received critical acclaim and was a box-office success, due to that it spawned a franchise of games, a television animated series, along with a 2018 stage musical. A sequel titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was released in 2024, also with critical acclaim.

On January 10, 2004, Warner Bros. (the owner of the motion picture division) changed the name of Warner Bros. Feature Animation. On January 7, 2013, Jeff Robinov took control of the studio by having it as a screenplay development department, nicknamed a "think tank" for developing newly featured theatrical animated films, known as the Warner Animation Group. Warner Bros. changed the name for the hope that the box office reception of their films will be better and more competitive with other animation studios' releases.

On February 7, 2014, Warner Animation Group released their first film based off the LEGO construction toys, The Lego Movie, a film animated by Animal Logic, which also provided the animation for both spin-offs. It was met with critical praise and proved to be a box-office success. Due to the movie's success, a media franchise was created, with two spin-offs, The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie (both 2017), a sequel, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019). Another spin off, co-produced by Universal Pictures, called Piece by Piece, was released in 2024. While The Lego Batman Movie proved to be successful at the box office, The Lego Ninjago Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part were both unable to recoup its budget, and Piece by Piece, despite receiving generally positive reviews from critics, the film was also a box office failure

 Released feature films 
#TitleRelease dateDistributor/Co-production withAnimation serviceReleased byNotes1The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny MovieNovember 20, 1981Warner Bros. AnimationWarner Bros. AnimationVHSFirst compilation film2Bugs Bunny’s 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit TailsNovember 19, 1982Warner Bros. AnimationWarner Bros. AnimationTheatricalSecond compilation film3Twice Upon a TimeAugust 5, 1983The Ladd Company
Korty Film

LucasfilmLumageTheatricalFirst stop motion film and first non-Looney Tunes film4Daffy Duck's Fantastic IslandAugust 5, 1983Warner Bros. AnimationWarner Bros. AnimationTheatricalThird compilation film5Rainbow Brite and the Star StealerNovember 15, 1985DIC Enterprises
Hallmark CardsTMS EntertainmentTheatricalSecond non-Looney Tunes film6BeetlejuiceMarch 30, 1988The Geffen CompanyTheatricalFirst live action film7Daffy Duck's QuackbustersSeptember 24, 1988Warner Bros. AnimationWarner Bros. AnimationVHSFourth and last compilation film8Babar: The MovieJuly 28, 1989New Line Cinema (US only)
Nelvana

Ellipse Programme

The Clifford Ross CompanyHanho Heung-Up, Co., Ltd.TheatricalFirst film to be produced under New Line9The Nutcracker PrinceNovember 21, 1990Lacewood Productions

Hinton Animation Studios

Boulevard Entertainment

Allied FilmmakersHinton Animation StudiosTheatrical10Rover DangerfieldAugust 2, 1991Hyperion Animation
The Kushner-Locke CompanyHyperion AnimationTheatrical11Free WillyJuly 16, 1993Le Studio Canal+

Regency Enterprises

Alcor FilmsTheatricalSecond live action film12Tom and Jerry: The MovieJuly 30, 1993Miramax (US only)
Turner Pictures Worldwide Distribution (International)

Turner Entertainment Co.

Live Entertainment

Film RomanFilm RomanTheatricalFirst film in the Tom and Jerry franchise under the studio.
First film to be based on a Hanna-Barbera property13Batman: Mask of the PhantasmDecember 25, 1993Warner Bros. Animation
Dong Yang Animation

Spectrum Animation

DC EntertainmentDong Yang Animation
Spectrum AnimationTheatricalFirst film under the studio to be based on a DC property.
First animated film in the Batman franchise under the studio14ThumbelinaMarch 30, 1994Don Bluth Ireland LimitedDon Bluth AnimationTheatricalFirst Don Bluth film under the studio15The MaskJuly 29, 1994New Line Cinema

Dark Horse Entertainment

Katja Motion Picture CorporationIndustrial Light & Magic
Dream Quest ImagesTheatricalFirst PG-13 film. third live action film and second film to be produced under New Line.16A Troll in Central ParkOctober 4, 1994Don Bluth Ireland LimitedDon Bluth AnimationTheatricalSecond Don Bluth film under the studio17The Swan PrincessNovember 18, 1994New Line Cinema (North America)

Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (International)

Nest Entertainment

Rich Animation StudiosRich Animation  StudiosTheatricalThird film to be produced under New Line.18The Pebble and the PenguinApril 12, 1995Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (US and Canada)

Warner Bros. Pictures (International)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation

Don Bluth LimitedDon Bluth AnimationTheatricalThird Don Bluth film under the studio19Free Willy 2: The Adventure HomeJuly 19, 1995Le Studio Canal+

Regency Enterprises

Alcor Films

Shuler-Donner/DonnerTheatricalFourth live action film20Space JamNovember 15, 1996Warner Bros. Family Entertainment

Northern Lights EntertainmentMain facility
Bardel Entertainment

Stardust Pictures

Heart of Texas Productions

Character Builders

Chuck Gammage Animation

Premier Films Ltd.

Rees / Leiva Productions

Spaff Animation

Uli Meyer FeaturesTheatricalFirst non-compilation Looney Tunes film

First film under the studio to be based around the NBA

Fifth live action film

First live action/animated hybrid film21Cats Don't DanceMarch 26, 1997Turner Feature Animation
David Kirschner ProductionsTurner Feature AnimationTheatrical22Free Willy 3: The RescueAugust 8, 1997Regency Enterprises
Shuler Donner/DonnerTheatricalSixth live action film23Pippi LongstockingAugust 22, 1997Nelvana

AB Svensk Filmindustri

IdunaFilm (Sweden)

Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (Germany)

Malofilm (Canada)

TFC TrickompanyNelvanaTheatricalBased on the series of children's books by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren24The Fearless FourOctober 2, 1997Munich Animation

Bioskop FilmMunich AnimationTheatrical25Quest for CamelotMay 15, 1998Warner Bros. Family EntertainmentWarner Bros. Feature AnimationTheatrical26The King and IMarch 19, 1999Rich Animation Studios

Rankin/Bass Productions

Morgan Creek Productions, Inc.Rich Animation StudiosTheatricalFirst and only Rankin/Bass film produced under the studio27The Iron GiantAugust 4, 1999Warner Bros. Feature AnimationWarner Bros. Feature AnimationTheatricalFirst and only film under the studio to be directed by Pixar-executive Brad Bird28Pokemon: The First MovieNovember 10, 1999Toho Company, Ltd.

Nintendo

OLM, Inc.

4Kids Entertainment

Kids' WB!OLM, Inc.TheatricalFirst film under the studio to be based on Nintendo property and the first film overall in the Pokemon franchise29Animaniacs: Yakko's WishDecember 21, 1999Warner Home Video

Warner Bros. Animation

Amblin EntertainmentWarner Bros. AnimationVHS and DigitalFirst film to be based on the Animaniacs and the first film under the studio to be produced by Amblin.30Pokemon: The Movie 2000July 21, 2000Toho Company, Ltd.

Nintendo

OLM, Inc.

4Kids Entertainment

Kids WB!OLM, Inc.TheatricalSecond film in the Pokemon franchise31Tweety's High-Flying AdventureSeptember 12, 2000Warner Home Video
Warner Bros. Animation

Warner Bros. Family EntertainmentWarner Bros. AnimationVHS (9/12/00)
Digital (9/11/07)32Pokemon 3: The MovieApril 6, 2001Toho Company, Ltd.

Nintendo

OLM, Inc.

4Kids Entertainment

Kids' WB!OLM, Inc.TheatricalThird film in the Pokemon franchise33Cats & DogsJuly 4, 2001Village Roadshow Pictures
Roadshow Animation

Cat Fight Pictures

NPV Entertainment

Mad Chance

Zide/Perry Productions

Rhythm & Hues StudiosRhythm & Hues StudiosTheatricalSeventh live action film
Second live action/animated hybrid film34Osmosis JonesAugust 10, 2001Warner Bros. Feature Animation
Conundrum EntertainmentWarner Bros. Feature AnimationTheatricalEighth live action film
Third live action/animated hybrid film35Scooby-DooJune 14, 2002Warner Bros. Pictures

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Atlas Entertainment

Mosaic Media GroupRhythm & Hues StudiosTheatricalNinth live action film

Fourth live action/animated hybrid film

Second film based on a Hanna-Barbera property

First film in the Scooby-Doo franchise under the studio36The Powerpuff Girls MovieJuly 3, 2002Warner Bros. Pictures
Cartoon Network StudiosCartoon Network StudiosTheatricalFirst film based on a Cartoon Network property37Kangaroo JackJanuary 17, 2003Warner Bros. Pictures (worldwide)

Roadshow Entertainment (Australia)

Castle Rock Entertainment

Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsRhythm & Hues StudiosTheatricalTenth live action film

Fifth live action/animated hyrid film38The Little Polar BearJune 20, 2003Rothkirch Cartoon-Film
Warner Bros. FilmproduktionRothkirch Cartoon-FilmTheatricalBased on the books by Hans de Beer39Looney Tunes: Back in ActionNovember 14, 2003Warner Bros. PicturesWarner Bros. Feature AnimationTheatricalEleventh live action film
Sixth live action/animated hybrid film40Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters UnleashedMarch 26, 2004Mosaic Media GroupRhythm & Hues StudiosTheatricalTwelveth live action film
Seventh live action/animated hybrid film
Third film based on a Hanna-Barbera property
Second film in the Scooby-Doo franchise under the studio41Clifford's Really Big MovieApril 23, 2004Scholastic Entertainment
Big Red Dog ProductionsStarburst Animation Co., Ltd.TheatricalBased on the PBS Kids series42Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of LightAugust 13, 2004Warner Bros. Pictures (United States)
Toho Company, Ltd. (Japan)
Studio Gallop
4Kids EntertainmentStudio GallopTheatricalBased on the Yu-Gi-Oh series43Laura's StarSeptember 23, 2004Rothkirch Cartoon-Film
Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany
MABO Pictures
Filmproduktion
Comet FilmRothkirch Cartoon-FilmTheatricalBased on the German children's book series by Klaus Baumgart44The Polar ExpressNovember 10, 2004Castle Rock Entertainment
Shangri-La Entertainment
Playtone
ImageMovers
Golden Mean ProductionsImageMoversTheatricalBased on the 1985 fantasy children's book by Chris Van Allsburg45Son of the MaskFebruary 18, 2005Warner Bros. Pictures
New Line Cinema (United States)
Radar Pictures
Dark Horse EntertainmentIndustrial Light & Magic
Tippett StudioTheatricalThirteenth live action film
Eighth live-action animated hybrid film46Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy?May 13, 2005Kidtoon Films (theatrical)
Warner Home Video (home video)
Warner Bros. Animation
Hanna-Barbera ProductionsWarner Bros. AnimationTheatrical (5/13/05)
DVD (12/13/05)Fourth film based on a Hanna-Barbera property
Third film in the Scooby-Doo franchise under the studio47Tom and Jerry: The Fast and the FurrySeptember 3, 2005Kidtoon Films (theatrical)
Warner Home Video (home video)
Warner Bros. Animation
Turner Entertainment Co.Warner Bros. AnimationTheatrical (9/3/05)
DVD (10/11/05)Fifth film based on a Hanna-Barbera property
Second film in the Tom and Jerry franchise under the studio48Corpse BrideSeptember 23, 2005Tim Burton Productions
Laika Entertainment3 Mills StudiosTheatricalSecond stop motion film under the studio
First Tim Burton film under the studio49The Little Polar Bear 2: The Mysterious IslandSeptember 29, 2005Rothkirch Cartoon-Film
Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany
MaBo FilmproduktionRothkirch Cartoon-FilmTheatricalBased on the German children's book series by Hans de Beer50Batman vs. DraculaOctober 18, 2005Warner Home Video
DC Entertainment
Warner Bros. Animation
Warner  Bros. Family EntertainmentWarner Bros. AnimationDVD (10/18/05)
TV (10/22/05)Second film under the studio to be based on a DC property.
Second animated film in the Batman franchise under the studio51The Pink PantherFebruary 10, 2006Warner Bros. Pictures (United States and Canada)
20th Century Fox (International)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation
Robert Simonds ProductionsKurtz and Friends AnimationTheatricalFourteenth live action film
Ninth live-action animated hybrid film
First of two films in the Pink Panther franchise under the studio52The Ant BullyJuly 28, 2006Warner Bros. Pictures
Legendary Pictures

Playtone

DNA ProductionsDNA ProductionsTheatricalFirst and only film under the studio to have DNA as animation provider53Codename KND: Operation Z.E.R.OAugust 11, 2006Cartoon Network Studios
Curious PicturesCartoon Network StudiosTelevisionSecond film based on a Cartoon Network series54Teen Titans: Trouble in TokyoSeptember 15, 2006Warner Bros. Animation
Kadokawa Shoten
DC EntertainmentWarner Bros. Animation
Kadokawa ShotenTelevisionThird film based on a Cartoon Network series55Bah, Humduck!: A Looney Tunes ChristmasNovember 14, 2006Warner Home Video
Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
Warner Bros. AnimationWarner Bros. AnimationDVD56Happy FeetNovember 17, 2006Warner Bros. Pictures

Village Roadshow Pictures

Roadshow AnimationAnimal LogicTheatricalFifthteenth live action film
Tenth live action/animated hybrid film57TMNTMarch 23, 2007Warner Bros. Pictures (United States)
Golden Scene (Hong Kong)
The Weinstein Company (International)Imagi Animation StudiosTheatricalFirst and only film in the TMNT franchise under the studio.
Second Ninja Turtles film not produced by Paramount and Nickelodeon (pre-acquistion)58Billy and Mandy's Big Boogey AdventureMarch 30, 2007Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'HooleSeptember 24, 2010Warner Bros. Pictures
Village Roadshow Pictures

Roadshow AnimationAnimal LogicTheatricalYogi BearDecember 17, 2010Warner Bros. Pictures
De Line Pictures

Sunswept Entertainment

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Rhythm & Hues StudiosRhythm & Hues StudiosTheatricalHappy Feet TwoNovember 18, 2011Warner Bros. Pictures

Village Roadshow Pictures

Kennedy Miller Mitchell

Dr. D Studios
Dr. D StudiosAnimal LogicTheatricalThe Lego MovieFebruary 7, 2014Warner Bros. Pictures

Village Roadshow Pictures

Lego System A/SAnimal LogicTheatricalFirst film to be based on LEGO construction toys.2StorksSeptember 23, 2016RatPac-Dune EntertainmentSony Pictures ImageworksTheatrical3The Lego Batman MovieFebruary 10, 2017Warner Bros. Pictures

DC Entertainment

RatPac-Dune EntertainmentAnimal Logic4The Lego Ninjago MovieSeptember 22, 2017Warner Bros. Pictures

Lego System A/S

RatPac-Dune EntertainmentTeen Titans Go! to the MoviesJuly 27, 2018Warner Bros. Animation
DC Entertainment

DC EntertainmentCopernicus Studios
Big Jump Entertainment

Company 3 AnimationBased on the Cartoon Network seriesSmallfootSeptember 28, 2018Warner Bros. Pictures

Zaftig FilmsSony Pictures ImageworksFifth Warner Animation Group in 3D.
First Warner Animation Group’s Musical.White SnakeJanuary 11, 2019Warner Bros. Far East
Light Chase Animation StudiosLight Chase Animation StudiosThe Lego Movie 2: The Second PartFebruary 8, 2019Warner Bros. Pictures

Village Roadshow Pictures

Lego System A/SAnimal LogicPokemon: Detective PikachuMay 10, 2019Warner Bros. Pictures (Worldwide)
Toho Company, Ltd. (Japan)

Legendary Pictures
The Pokemon Company
NintendoMoving Picture Company
Framestore
Image Engine
Rodeo FX
Instinctual FXTheatricalFirst WB theatrical film in the Pokemon franchise since Pokemon 3: The MovieScoob!May 15, 2020Warner Bros. PicturesReel FX Creative StudiosDigitalTom & JerryFebruary 26, 2021Warner Bros. Pictures
The Story CompanyFramestoreTheatrical and DigitalFirst Warner Animation Group film released thought Theaters and HBO Max.Space Jam: A New LegacyJuly 16, 2021Warner Bros. Pictures

Proximity

The SpringHill CompanyIndustrial Light & MagicTheatrical and DigitalLast Warner Animation Group film released thought Theaters and HBO Max.DC League of Super-PetsJuly 29, 2022Warner Bros. Pictures

DC Entertainment

Seven Bucks ProductionsAnimal LogicTheatricalMummiesFebruary 24, 2023Warner Bros. Pictures

4 Cats Pictures

Anangu Grup

Moomios Movie AIECORE AnimationTheatricalFirst Warner Animation Group film released in 2023BoipeloMay 17, 2023Amblin Entertainment
Good UniverseAmblimation
Industrial Light & MagicTheatricalPiece by PieceOctober 11, 2024Universal Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures

I Am Other

Tremolo Productions

Lego System A/SPure Imagination Studios

Zebu Animation Studios

TongalTheatricalA Minecraft MovieApril 4, 2025Warner Bros Pictures

Legendary Pictures

Domain Entertainment

Mojang StudiosSony Pictures Imageworks

Weta FX

Digital Domain

Method StudiosTheatrical

 Upcoming 
#TitleRelease dateDistributor/Co-production withAnimation service13The Pout-Pout FishMarch 20, 2026Warner Bros Pictures
Village Roadshow Pictures

Viva Pictures

Domain Entertainment14Coyote vs. AcmeAugust 28, 2026Two Monkeys, a Goat, and Another, Dead, MonkeyDNEG Animation15The Cat in the HatNovember 6, 2026Warner Bros. Pictures And Dr. Seuss EnterprisesDNEG Animation16Bad FairiesMay 21, 2027Locksmith Animation, Sketchshark Productions And Legendary Pictures17Margie ClausNovember 5, 2027On the Day Productions18 Oh, the Places You'll Go!March 17, 2028Dr. Seuss Enterprises
Bad Robot Productions19  Dynamic DuoJune 30, 2028DC Studios 6th & Idaho Swaybox Swaybox20The Hello Kitty MovieJuly 21, 2028New Line Cinema, Saniro And Flynn Picture Company21The Lunar ChroniclesNovember 3, 2028Locksmith AnimationIndustrial Light And Magic

Process
Similar to Paramount Animation and Sony Pictures Animation, WAG (WBPA) outsources their computer-animated films' production to other studios such as Animal Logic (Happy Feet franchise, The Lego Movie franchise,  DC League of Super-Pets and Toto), Sony Pictures Imageworks (Storks and Smallfoot), Reel FX Creative Studios (Scoob!), Framestore (Tom & Jerry) and Industrial Light & Magic (Space Jam: A New Legacy). However, Space Jam: A New Legacy did also include hand-drawn animation, which is done in-house and also outsourced from Company 3 Animation, and Tonic DNA.

The budgets for their films tend to range from $60–80 million. Their most expensive films to date are The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part ($99 million), Scoob! ($90 million), Space Jam: A New Legacy ($150 million), and DC League of Super-Pets ($90 million).

Filmography

Franchises
 Title Films Short films Release datesLooney Tunes91,041 1930–presentTom & Jerry1 1993–presentDC21993-presentHappy Feet202006-2011The Lego Movie 9 11 2014–presentMarcus James202025-present

References

Category:1980 establishments in the United States